VIETNAM N O I T A V R E S N O C & E R U T L CU ) S T H G I N 2 (1 VIETNAM 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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CHINA HANOI
MYANMAR HA LONG BAY
LAOS
VIETNAM SEE THE WORLD Y! L T N E R E F F I D
DANANG HOI AN MY SON
We believe in the power of extraordinary experiences. They allow us to see ourselves, others and the world differently, and develop our confidence, independence and resilience.
12 NIGHT JOURNEY VIETNAM Join us on an incredible journey through Vietnam. Discover fascinating cities, cruise through Ha Long Bay and get immersed in sustainable living. It’s a journey that sparks learning, growth and greater possibility. A journey that resonates forever.
VIETNAM 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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DAYS 1-3 DISCOVER HANOI Sleep: Hostel
Touch down in Hanoi and meet your local World Challenge guide. You’ve arrived in one of the world’s most historic capitals. Discover local flavours on a street food tour, tasting ‘pho’ noodle soup and ‘bun cha’ noodles as you follow your guide through the old town. Our first full day kicks off with a responsible travel workshop. We’ll eat lunch at KOTO restaurant, which helps disadvantaged kids learn life-changing skills. Next,
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we’ll experience Ngoc Son Temple, which commemorates a 13th-century general. In the afternoon, jump in a ‘cyclo’ (bike taxi) and soak up the street life. Tonight, we’ll experience a traditional water puppet show with live music and folklore. On our last day in Hanoi, we’ll get a fascinating insight into sustainable living. We’ll visit a cafe and craft shop which makes beautiful decorations from roadside trash, and we’ll help out with the Keep Hanoi Clean initiative.
TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY YOUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL WORKSHOP WILL HELP YOU TO TRAVEL IN AN ETHICAL WAY. APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN AND YOU’LL DEVELOP A RESPONSIBLE MINDSET YOU CAN CARRY THROUGH LIFE.
DAYS 4-5 HA LONG BAY CRUISE Sleep: Mithrin Hotel Ha Long, cabins on the train Travel: Transfer 3hrs to Ha Long Bay, transfer 3hrs back to Hanoi, overnight train 18hrs to Danang
VIETNAM 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
Discover a different side to Vietnam at the UNESCO site of Ha Long Bay – this dramatic landscape is made up of 1,600 islands. Legend says they were formed by jewels that were dropped by dragons. Step aboard a traditional-style junk boat and cruise through emerald waters. As we tour through the karst scenery, we’ll discover limestone caves and floating bamboo villages. After an epic day, we’ll travel to our hotel in Bai Chay. Wake up, smell the sea air and set out to explore Bai Chay’s bustling streets and beach. Bai Chay is famous for its seafood – you’ll smell sizzling squid, grilled oyster and fried snails. After lunch, we’ll return to Hanoi and catch the overnight train journey to Danang. Find your cabin and fall asleep to the gentle creaking of the carriage.
FLOATING BAMBOO VILLAGES THE FLOATING FISHING COMMUNITIES OF HA LONG BAY HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME WAY FOR GENERATIONS – ANCHORED TOGETHER AS THEY DRIFT ON THE SEA. THEY OWN NO LAND, ONLY THE BOATS THAT THEY RELY ON FOR THEIR WAY OF LIFE.
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VIETNAM 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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DAY 6 ANCIENT CULTURE IN HOI AN Sleep: Hostel Travel: Transfer 45mins to Hoi An
DAYS 7-10 AN NHIEN FARM PROJECT Sleep: Bamboo house, hostel Travel: Transfer + walk 45mins to An Nhien Farm, walk + transfer 45mins back to Hoi An
VIETNAM 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
Step off the train in Danang and travel to the historic city of Hoi An. Get to grips with this atmospheric town when we set off on a walking tour. First stop is the Chua Ong pagoda – a Chinese-inspired structure that dates back to 1653. Smell the incense and street food, and say ‘xin chao’ (seen chow) to greet the locals. We’ll continue to Jinshang Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Cross the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, then step inside for some Vietnamese tea.
Discover another side to Vietnam. We’re off to An Nhien Farm to live with a community. Extreme climate change threatens their environment, so they look for sustainable solutions to manage this. They harvest rainwater and use solar power to heat water. Striving for zero waste, they use innovative ideas like making bricks from coffee grounds. It’s all about living a low-impact lifestyle. Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Help out with tree planting in the mangrove nursery, and learn how
to make eco-friendly tooth powder. You’ll also discover a different style of cooking when we create some Vietnamese classics. Many dishes are cooked in banana leaves or bamboo. Your home-from-home is a traditional bamboo bungalow, and we’ll feast on barbecued food by the campfire. This is an incredible chance to experience local sustainable living. Leap outside your comfort zone, stay open-minded and embrace this opportunity. After three nights, we’ll head back to Hoi An.
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DAY 11 MYSTICAL MY SON Sleep: Hostel Travel: Day trip from Hoi An
DAY 12 LANTERNS IN HOI AN
Delve deeper into Vietnam’s past with a day trip to My Son – former capital of the Cham civilization. Around 90 minutes from Hoi An, it’s a mesmerising complex of crumbling towers and Hindu temples surrounded by lush jungle, flowing streams and rugged mountains. Pronounced ‘me sun’, this UNESCO site was partly restored in the 19th century. Later, huge areas were destroyed during the Vietnam War. Step back in time as we walk through this haunting site. You’ll see the
Back in Hoi An, spend your final morning at a lantern making workshop. Listen as a local expert unlocks the secrets of this ancient art, and see how they’re made using silk and bamboo. Now it’s your turn to get creative and have a go.
Sleep: Hostel
In the afternoon, we’ll head to the markets to haggle for souvenirs and get our final glimpses of Vietnamese life. This is also your last chance to tuck into your favourite Vietnamese food – think fresh spring rolls, oodles of noodles and Vietnamese coffee with egg. At night, you’ll see Hoi An come
DAY 13
All too soon, it’s time to say farewell to your guides and travel home.
DEPART FROM DANANG Sleep: Hostel
VIETNAM 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
It’s been a truly eye-opening journey. You’ve been immersed in Vietnamese culture and you’ve learnt about sustainable living first-hand. You’ve listened to local stories, seen the scars of the Vietnam War, and felt the pulse of everyday life. These experiences will
American bomb craters and learn about the Cham’s unique culture. Take in the statues, some of them headless from looting or bombing, and run your fingers along decorative stonework. Amazing.
CHAMAZING! THE CHAM KINGDOM AND ITS UNIQUE CULTURE DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE 4TH AND 13TH CENTURIES. MY SON WAS THE CHAM CAPITAL AND ANCESTRAL HOMELAND, FAMOUS FOR ITS EPIC ‘TOWER TEMPLES’.
alive with colourful lanterns that are said to bring good luck. This muchloved city is a beautiful place to round off our trip.
give you a whole new perspective of the people we share our planet with, and the importance of protecting it. It doesn’t stop here. Share your story with challengers from around the globe. Find us @weareworldchallenge
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COMMITTED TO
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL. We base our responsible travel initiatives upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We’re driven to create positive contributions in the world, but also humble enough to know the types of community initiatives our young travellers should and shouldn’t be involved with. We carefully select all community engagements to be appropriate for young people and after more than 30 years of overseas student travel we’ve established strong and long standing relationships
with our overseas community partners that are evaluated each year to ensure we’re truly serving both people and planet. This holistic approach means our young travellers work towards a community initiative while also coming home with greater humility and sense of place in their world. Below are a list of the UN Sustainable Development Goals we’re positively contributing towards.
THE RESULTS FROM CHALLENGERS KNOWLEDGE on issues around responsible travel
Before travel After travel
VIETNAM 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
CONFIDENCE talking about issues around responsible travel Before travel After travel
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